FORT MYERS, Fla. - North Florida women's tennis' (15-9) nine-match winning streak and chance at a miraculous seventh-straight ASUN Championship came to a close after a 4-3 loss to second-seeded Stetson (21-2) in the semifinals Saturday, April 23.
North Florida led 3-1 before Stetson replied to win the remaining three courts, including a three-set tiebreaker at the fifth position.
It's UNF's first loss since March 20 and just UNF's second against an ASUN opponent this season, both of which came at the hands of the Hatters.
Stetson 4, UNF 3
Saturday, April 23 | FGCU Tennis Complex | Fort Myers, Fla.
How it Happened
It was business as usual in doubles as North Florida won at courts one and three.
Summer Yardley and
Annabelle Davis clinched the point, winning 6-3.
North Florida pounced to a 2-0 lead thanks to a dominant win by
Kendall Nash at six singles. Nash won 6-2, 6-2, defeating Elodie Foster.
A battle of unbeatens in ASUN play went up against each other at court three, with Stetson taking its first team point with a 6-3, 6-3 win from Cheri Darley over
Annabelle Davis.
Kit Gulihur erased a seemingly insurmountable 5-1 deficit to win 7-6 (7-2) and eventually take the top court with a 6-1 second-set win. UNF led 3-1 following Gulihur's victory.
Stetson came back though, winning three consecutive courts, including the decisive court between
Anslee Long and Noa Cohen. Court five was tied 4-4, with both sides winning two games to force a tiebreaker.
Cohen managed to win, 7-2, in the tiebreaker to clinch the match.
Singles competition
1. #45
Kit Gulihur (UNF) def. Nadejda Maslova (STET) 7-6 (7-2), 6-1
2. Anais Gabriel (STET) def.
Summer Yardley (UNF) 7-6 (9-7), 6-1
3. Cheri Darley (STET) def.
Annabelle Davis (UNF) 6-3, 6-3
4. Alanna DiFrancesco (STET) def.
Isabel Oliveira (UNF) 6-1, 5-7, 6-0
5. Noa Cohen (STET) def.
Anslee Long (UNF) 0-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)
6.
Kendall Nash (UNF) def. Elodie Foster (STET) 6-2, 6-2
Doubles Competition
1. #30
Kit Gulihur/
Ana Paula Melilo (UNF) def. Elodie Foster/Alanna DiFrancesco (STET) 6-2
2. Nadejda Maslova/Cheri Darley (STET) vs.
Anslee Long/
Isabel Oliveira (UNF) 4-5, unfinished
3.
Summer Yardley/
Annabelle Davis (UNF) def. Anais Gabriel/Noa Cohen (STET) 6-3
Match Notes
North Florida 15-9
Stetson 21-2
Order of finish: Doubles (1,3); Singles (6,3,1,4,2,5)
Official: Bob Booth T-3:18 A-134
Other Notes
- UNF had won six-straight ASUN Championships dating back to 2015.
- It was Davis' first loss against an ASUN foe this season.
- Prior to today, the Ospreys hadn't lost a match since March 20.
